THE STORK— THE CRANE. 197 



Distinguished and highly, in annals of fame, 



The sacred Grallator from Belgium last came; 



reptiles, on which they feed; boxes are sometimes provided for 

 them on the tops of houses ; eggs from two to four, yellowish 

 white, the size of those of a goose. Collins in his Ode to Liberty 

 thus alludes to the Stork: 



" Or dwell in willow'd meeds more near 

 With those to whom thy Stork is dear." 



In a note to the poem we are informed that among the Dutch 

 are severe penalties for killing this bird ; and that they are kept 

 tame in almost all their towns, particularly at the Hague, of the 

 arms of which they make a part. 



The Grus, Crane, or Common-Crane, weighs nearly ten 

 pounds, and is in length rive feet ; the predominant plumage of 

 this bird is ash colour. It is common in many parts of Europe 

 and in Asia, migrating with the season. It was formerly com- 

 mon in the fenny districts of this country, but is now more rare. 

 Makes a singular noise in its flight, which is said to be owing to 

 the formation of its windpipe. Eggs two, bluish ; feeds on 

 reptiles and green corn. The young is good food. 



The Virgo, Demoiselle-Heron, Numidian-Crane, or Dancing- 

 Crane, is in length three feet three inches ; the bill is 

 two inches and a half long, straight, greenish at the base, 

 changing to yellow with a red tip ; the crown is ash colour ; the 

 rest of the head, greater part of the neck behind, and all for- 

 wards to the breast, black ; feathers of the latter very long, some 

 at least nine inches, hanging loose over the adjacent parts ; the 

 lower part of the neck behind, back, wings, tail, and all beneath, 

 bluish ash ; behind each eye springs a large tuft of long white 

 feathers, which decline forwards, and hang in an elegant and 

 graceful manner ; legs long and black. Both sexes much alike. 

 Inhabits Africa, the warmer parts of Asia, and the shores of the 



